The Paris Wedding

Life interferes with your dreams. You get a chance to go to Paris… very beautiful descriptions of rural Australia and Paris from a tourist perspective. Loved the main characters and thoroughly enjoyed this book. Dressmaking, dreams, and taking chances.

Imagine that you are Rachael. A decade earlier, the man you thought you were going to marry ends your relationship. And now, ten years later, he invites you to his wedding. Worse, he’s marrying someone who seems to be the picture of perfection: gorgeous, intelligent, and generous of time and spirit.

Would you go to this wedding, even if it’s in Paris and all-expenses paid? (I would. I wouldsoooo go to Paris and have the time of my life, although I don’t know if I’d actually attend the wedding itself.) Initially, Rachael opens herself to the trip, but she’s more reluctant to open herself to the experience. You can understand this, of course. It may have been ten years ago, but the breakup with Matthew still hurts. Why would she want to see him happily united with another woman?

Charlotte Nash makes you want to go to Paris yourself, just as she makes you wonder what you would do if you were in Rachael’s shoes. Not just regarding the wedding, but the other moments Rachael experiences–the other decisions she makes. Sometimes you want to leap into the pages and physically restrain Rachael from doing some of the things she does, and sometimes you want to whisper in her ear to say “yes” to something.

There is an overarching sweetness to this book, and that’s largely due to Rachael herself. She’s a woman of simple needs whose life is vastly different from what she anticipated. She loves deeply and fully, and she only sees the best in people. You want her to give herself a chance to find the happiness she deserves, which is a testament to how well Charlotte Nash crafts this character. The supporting cast is equally as engaging, by the way. Some of them will make you laugh, and some will make you sigh.

This is a pretty terrific beach read. Enjoy!

4.5 stars
If its real love, youll find a way to support each others dreams. Otherwise, whats the point?

The Paris Wedding is the fifth novel by Australian author, Charlotte Nash. No way was Rachael West going to the Paris Wedding, even if it was all expenses paid. In fact, shed already thrown out the fancy invitation. She was still grieving for her mother. How could she go to see Matthew Grant, her ex-boyfriend, her high school sweetheart, married to a society belle? Bonnie Quinns rich father was footing what had to be a hefty bill: a week in Paris with airfares and accommodation for guests included.

Matthew was the man she didnt follow to Sydney, electing instead to stay on the farm with her mother, finally nursing her to the end, just weeks before. Matthew may have left her broken-hearted ten years ago, but she realised she was still in love with him. Her best friend Sammy suggested that maybe watching it happen would cure her of that and let her get on with her life. And that was how Rachael ended up sitting on a Parisian rooftop after midnight with her ex-boyfriends new fiance while wearing a pyjama top.

Nash gives the reader a story with a plot that looks predictable: are these characters going to behave in disappointing ways and cause sadness to third parties? Will they make better choices and realise their potential? Nashs characters are certainly very human with all their flaws and foibles. But, while some behave quite predictably, others surprise. She gives some of her characters wise words, succinctly expressed, and perceptive observations: Think of nerves as a give-way sign on the road. Pause, have a look around, make sure theres no danger. Theyre not a sign to stop. is one example.

most of us arent good at grieving, particularly in western countries. Were so conditioned to think sadness and sorrow are bad, that they should be fixed as soon as possible. But you cant fix them. Someone you loved has gone, and nothing will replace them. You can only carry the sorrow. You shouldnt feel like you have to make it go away, especially before youre ready.

Journalism is about cause and effect. And its most powerful when the cause is universal war, disaster, governments – and the effect is hidden. The journalists job is to uncover and connect the causes and effects. A photojournalist can do it in one picture.

Nash renders for the reader country NSW, the dust and heat of summer, as easily as she captures Paris in the spring. Her enthusiasm for the art of creating a fashion masterpiece is also apparent. Her descriptions of Rachaels creations are certainly evocative but some readers might wish for illustrations. This edition also features the first three chapters of Nashs earlier novel, The Horseman. A very enjoyable romance.

Excellent read

Oh, another beauty by Nash – and another one I just had to finish. All I wish to say, is “You just have to read this book.” It has compassion and emotion, and we can all empathise with Rachael’s life lessons.
Each of Nash’s books tell completely different stories, which indicates her diversity and excellent ability to construct a great read. I have now read all her novels and I am already anxiously awaiting her next one. Keep them coming, please!
Also, pleasing to see Nash has an excellent proof-reader. Nash’s work is always grammatically correct, descriptively written and there are no spelling errors, which also make her books so much easier to read.
5 stars never seem enough for an author of the caliber of Charlotte Nash.

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